TEACH PLUS NEWS RELEASE
Teach Plus New Mexico applauds the State Legislature for passing Senate Bill 29, a decisive step to strengthen math education across the state. The bill bolsters teacher licensing requirements and updates how educators are trained in math—building on the same evidence-based approach that has already transformed literacy instruction across New Mexico.
“The passage of SB 29 shows what’s possible when legislators, teacher leaders, and partners work together to put students first,” said Teach Plus New Mexico Executive Director Hope Morales. “By strengthening math preparation for educators, we are laying a stronger foundation for student success and opening doors to postsecondary opportunity and long-term economic mobility for New Mexico’s children. This is a win for our students.”
The passage of SB 29 is the culmination of more than a year of research and advocacy by Teach Plus teacher leaders. Through legislative testimony, op-eds, and meetings with lawmakers at the Roundhouse, the teachers brought their classroom experiences and their students’ stories to the center of the policy conversation—and lawmakers listened. Senior Policy Fellow Aja Currey and Policy Fellows Andrea Lopez and Lauren Scott were among those who made that case. Their report, focused on strengthening teacher training, provided a data-driven foundation for the policy solutions lawmakers ultimately adopted.
“I am so proud that SB 29 is headed to the Governor’s desk,” said Lauren Scott, kindergarten teacher at Mountain Mahogany Community School in Albuquerque and 2024-26 Teach Plus New Mexico Policy Fellow. “This bill shows what’s possible when legislators actually listen to educators. It tackles the problem from both ends—how teachers are trained and what happens in classrooms from kindergarten on up. That’s how we help all children see themselves as capable mathematicians, ready for college, career, and whatever comes next.”
About Teach Plus
The mission of Teach Plus is to empower excellent, experienced, and diverse teachers to take leadership over key policy and practice issues that affect their students’ success. Since 2009, Teach Plus has developed thousands of teacher leaders across the country to exercise their leadership in shaping education policy and improving teaching and learning for students. teachplus.org/NM